The day of the pelicans

“Three Pelicans” © Kathryn LeRoy

Hi friends,

We had an exciting week that started with this conversation.

“What are they?”

“I think they might be Snow Geese.”

“No, wait. Look at the beaks! Those are white pelicans!”

On a cold misty day in February,  a squadron, pod, pouch, group, or to us, a flock of American White Pelicans chose the lake behind us to stop by for a couple of days.

We have never seen them on our lake before, over 100 miles inland from the coast and most of their natural habitats. I imagine them flying on their way somewhere and needing to stop for a travel break.

Our lake appeared safe and a prime spot with the opportunity for minnows, small crustaceans, or maybe a frog or two. We watched over 20 of them like spies. Each of us peered out the windows with the binoculars trying to predict their next move.

You never know what wonder of nature will show up at your doorstep.

Not wanting to miss the chance to photograph these rare visitors, I snuck down to the side of the lake sitting on the damp pine needles hoping they would swim close enough for a portrait.

The pelicans didn’t see me lurking on the side of the lake and certainly didn’t have time for me. They had more important business— filling their long bills with tasty morsels.

Why did they stop here?

I searched for a few facts about our special guests.

• American White Pelicans are one of the few migratory pelicans. They migrate from Alberta, Canada, to as far as Columbia. But those living in Texas and Central America stay closer to home.

• Pelicans are very social and feed in groups, forming a circle to scoop up their dinner.

• Baby pelicans don’t have a specific name, like “chicks,” but the babies stay close to the nest for about 12 weeks.

• Pelicans have an internal desalination filter to drink the ocean’s salt water.

I wonder who will come for dinner next week.

You can bet I’ll keep the binoculars and my camera close.

We often think that standing out sets us apart, but really, we never go it alone.

My writing friend from the “downunder” wrote several great articles this week. I especially liked his take on self-esteem.

I found a few songs about food like Zac Brown Band’s Mango Tree, and what’s dinner without a little Red, Red, Wine with Neil Diamond?

Dinner is the principal act of the day that can only be carried out in a worthy manner by people of wit and humor; for it is not sufficient just to eat at dinner. One has to talk with a calm and discreet gaiety. The conversation must sparkle like the rubies in the entremets wines, it must be delightfully suave with the sweetmeats of the dessert, and become very profound with the coffee. — Alexandre Dumas

Find a little wonder this week.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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